Post navigation

Prev: (04/13/11) | Next: (04/14/11)

$17,000 grant + your volunteer time will help make 12th Avenue E safer for pedestrians

Walking on 12th Avenue East between E Madison and E Prospect could get easier and safer soon. At least that is the hope of the Capitol Hill Community Council, which has been awarded a $17,000 from the Department of Neighborhoods for the 12th Avenue East Transportation Safety Initiative. But it’s a matching grant, so people will need to volunteer their time and effort to match the cash.

“We need as many people from the neighborhood as possible to be absolutely engaged on this project,” said Mike Kent, vice president of the CHCC.

This stretch of 12th Ave E has been dangerous for pedestrians. A woman was struck at 12th and Howell in October, a couple blocks south from where a man was struck by a pickup in July. Though there were no fatal collisions with pedestrians on 12th Ave E in the last five years, there were many collisions that resulted in injuries. The street is noted as a high priority in the Pedestrian Master Plan.

“12th Avenue is a dangerous street to cross,” said Kent, explaining why the street was targeted by the council. “It seemed totally possible to make 12th Ave a safer street for everyone.”

The first step in the process is to gather volunteers and start the search for a transportation consultant. They hope to have the Request for Proposal ready and out by early summer. The council does not yet know exactly where the improvements will be made or what kinds of projects the consultant will ultimately suggest, but the projects will be influenced by community involvement.

People interested in helping are urged to attend the CHCC’s meeting at 7 PM April 21 in the Cal Anderson Park Shelter House. If you can’t make the meeting, email the council at [email protected].

Subscribe and support CHS Contributors -- $1/$5/$10 per month

2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rex
Rex
12 years ago

Good news, great work. The city gets great value out of these grants, tons of volunteer time and community support…

Svetlana
Svetlana
12 years ago

This is the best news I’ve heard all week! finally putting money towards something that’s VERY needed